Modern technology is saving Brits the equivalent of two weeks every year – or almost two-and-a-half years of the average adult lifetime, a study has found.
A poll of 2,000 adults found the likes of self-service checkouts, internet shopping or banking and mobile traffic updates are saving Brits around six-and-a-half hours a week.
Mobile devices alone are saving users around an hour per week in getting around, by helping us navigate more efficiently, giving traffic updates, and allowing us to check bus and train times.
And time spent in the bank has decreased by 40 minutes per week in the last decade, as mobile and online banking has taken off.
Email and social media are also among the top modern time-saving conveniences.
Mathematician Katie Steckles, working in conjunction with Deichmann Shoes, calculated the amount of time technology is saving the nation, by analysing how long is spent in today’s world on everyday processes such as shopping, banking and checking-in for a flight.
She revealed that with the average adult saving around six-and-a-half hours a week, this means the UK population as a whole could be saving a staggering 459 million hours a week or nearly 24 billion hours a year
Simon Wilson, head of buying at Deichmann, added: “Life has become busier than ever and we are constantly trying to find ways to save time.
“We love nothing more than a time-saving hack with people using social media and the internet to find the best ways to boost the spare time they have.
“Unfortunately, we all have life admin and tasks which while we might not want to do them, they need to be done, so making sure we do them in the most efficient way is important.”
The study found the average adult estimates internet banking saves them around 21 minutes a week, while online food shopping frees up another 23 minutes.
Ready meals also save around 21 minutes a week and sat navs give people an extra 19 minutes a week by allowing them to avoid traffic jams.
Self-service checkouts, online bus and train timetables and contactless payments also save more than 10 minutes a week each.
The study also found 45 per cent of adults believe they have more time in recent years thanks to modern conveniences.
Watching TV is the most popular way to spend any free time followed by reading books, listening to music and walking.
* Deichmann shoes, which, in addition to an online shop, has 100 stores nationwide, all benefiting from an easy to navigate layout, where all styles and sizes are on display for people to help themselves to; a shopping experience that’s more time efficient than normal shoe shops on average.
Simon Wilson added: “Deichmann’s price guarantee, where we match or refund the difference if customers find an identical pair branded trainers cheaper in any UK high street or online retailer also saves time, as you don’t have to worry about shopping around before you buy.
Top 20 best modern conveniences
1. Internet banking
2. Email
3. Microwaves
4. Online clothes shopping
5. A mobile phone
6. Online grocery/food shopping
7. TV remote controls
8. Laptops
9. Mobile banking
10. Self-service checkouts
11. Ready meals
12. Sat-navs
13. Contactless payments
14. Online check-in for airports
15. Pay-at-pump petrol stations
16. Electric/power tools
17. Apps
18. Streaming movies
19. Online bus/train checkers
20. Portable batteries for recharging
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